What you see in the blood

Blood collection is one of the basic diagnostics for pneumonia. It is a simple and quick examination that can be performed at low cost and is extremely helpful due to its high significance. The physician is primarily interested in whether there are changes in the blood that indicate pneumonia.

These signs of inflammation include a strong increase in white blood cells (med. leukocytosis), a prolonged blood sedimentation rate (BSG) and an elevated CRP value. CRP is a protein that is only present in very small amounts in healthy people.

In bacterial infections it increases very strongly and is therefore a good indication that there is inflammation in the body caused by pathogens. An elevated procalcitonin concentration (PCT) in the blood also occurs in infections and provides information about the possible presence of pneumonia. Blood tests can also be used to identify the pathogen in patients undergoing hospitalization. However, this is not necessary in the case of pneumonia, which is treated on an outpatient basis. Blood values for pneumonia?

When do you need a CT?

If the findings are unclear or if the diagnosis of pneumonia cannot be reliably established on the basis of the radiographs, an additional computed tomography of the chest (CT thorax) can be performed. The resolution of a CT scan is better than that of an x-ray, which means that abnormal changes can be assessed more reliably.Studies have shown that CT is clearly superior to the classic X-ray thorax in the diagnosis of pneumonia, which is why CT images will probably become an integral part of pneumonia diagnostics in the future.

When do you need an MRI?

Magnetic resonance therapy (MRI) enables the reliable assessment of pneumonia and is even somewhat superior to CT. MRI can be performed for findings that are very difficult to assess and if the doctor cannot make a reliable diagnosis of pneumonia. In contrast to an x-ray or a CT examination, an MRI involves more effort and longer waiting times and is therefore performed less frequently in critical patients who need quick treatment. You can find more information about MRI of the lung here.